Crown Prince Naruhito poses between two freakishly tall Spaniards at a Miro exhibit.
It's the fourth round of the 2013 Emperor's Cup. Sixteen teams remain: thirteen from J1, Consadole Sapporo and Montedio Yamagata from J2, and AC Nagano Parciero of the JFL. Today Parciero visit Yokohama F. Marinos; Montedio Yamagata go to Kawasaki Frontale's home park; and Consadole Sapporo meet Ventforet Kofu on the neutral turf of Kumamoto Stadium.
How have Consadole done in the Emperor's Cup in recent years? Last year they were eliminated in Round Two by Parciero. In 2011 in Round Two by Mito HollyHock. In 2010 in Round Three by Nagoya Grampus. In 2009 in Round Three by Shimizu S-Pulse. In 2008 in Round Four by Yokohama F. Marinos. In 2007 in Round Three by TDK SC (later known as Blaublitz Akita). In 2006 they were knocked out in the semifinals by Gamba Osaka. That semifinal appearance is their best showing of the 21st Century to date.
[Nagano, Sapporo and Yamagata all lose.]